ENTREPRENEURS in the midlands were celebrated last night at the first ever Asian Business Awards (ABA’s) dedicated to the region.
They were recognised at the inaugural ABA Midlands on Friday (26) which took place in the plush banqueting suite at Edgbaston cricket ground in Birmingham.
The glittering awards ceremony which was hosted by the Asian Media and Marketing Group (AMG), publishers of Eastern Eye and Garavi Gujarat saw Chief Secretary to HM Treasury Danny Alexander as the chief guest.
Alexander who is also MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey launched the first edition of the Asian Rich List Midlands 2013 in the presence of a 300 strong audience comprising of self-made millionaires, industry leaders and top politicians. The list is a compilation of the top 51 wealthiest British Asians in the Midlands area, and this year Ranjit & Baljinder Boparan owner of the 2Sisters Food Group made the top spot, with a wealth estimated at £1.15 billion.
On the evening, seven entrepreneurs walked away with the prestigious Asian Business Awards, with the prestigious Asian Business of the Year going to East End Foods founded by philanthropist and torch-bearer for organic foods Tony Deep Wourha.
In his key note speech Alexander said: “ As one of the minsters responsible steering our country economy through the critical economic times I’m delighted to be here to celebrate your success and to recognise the huge contribution that British businesses have played in the Midlands and the whole of the United Kingdom.
“ This is the very first regional Asian Business Awards and after 15 years of the success of the national awards I’m sure we can congratulate AMG in bringing the award here tonight.
“ As a senior minister in the treasury I know the key to a prosperous future for the United Kingdom’s economy is hard work, the dedication and the entrepreneurial spirit of the business like those in the UK here tonight. If we want to increase our exports and increase our employment it will be businesses like yours that make it happen.”
Having celebrated the national ABAs in London for 15 years, the organisers of the glittering event have now for the first put the spotlight on the increasing success and achievement of the Midlands.
A highlight of the evening was a panel discussion featuring Alexander, Jindy Khera, managing director of Midlands food company KTC Edibles and K D Lamba. Chief Executive Bank of Baroda European Operations.
They discussed the secrets of their success and also posed questions to the minister about the economic situation of the country and how it can be improved.
Among those who attended the awards ceremony at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham were MP’s Paul Uppal and Steve McCabe, BBC Apprentice star Melody Hossaini, actor Ace Bhatti, model and ex Big Brother contestant Deana Uppal and bankers and business leaders.
AMG's managing editor Kalpesh Solanki said: “Birmingham has been described as the workshop of the world and the melting pot of multicultural Britain. Forty Five years ago Enoch Powell, the Wolverhampton Member of Parliament made his infamous speech of the Rivers of Blood where he criticised the immigration policies and wanting to repatriate ethnic minorities.
“ He did not see Britain flourish with immigrants but today Britain is a stronger nation and more compelling because of it multicultural population. And today Enoch Powell’s old seat in Parliament is occupied by a bright young Asian politician who we are very pleased to welcome Mr Paul Uppal.
“ There can be no doubt that the Asian community has played a crucial role in both business and cultural life of the Midlands. And tonight we recognise and reward some of these successful businesses through the Asian Business Awards.”
The ABA Midlands also raised funds for the British Asian Trust, whose patron is Prince Charles and the Aangan Trust in India, which provides for underprivileged children in India.
This year the winners were picked by a panel of judges including Paul Uppal MP for Wolverhampton South West; Neil Rami, chief executive of Marketing Birmingham; Gisela Stuart MP for Birmingham Edgbaston; Anjli Paul daughter of Lord Swraj Paul, owene and Founder of Caparo Group; John Phillips, regional director for the Institue of Directors (IoD) West Midlands region; Shiraz Tejani founder of Leicester based tissue manufacturer LPC (UK) Limited; Kalpesh Solanki, group managing editor of the AMG and Shailesh R Solanki, executive editor for AMG.
Guests at the ceremony enjoyed a lavish three-course Indian meal and were entertained by Patrick Alan band.
Asian Business Awards Midlands 2013
Asian Business Restaurant of the Year 2013 in Association with Stassen Tea
Jabbar Khan, Director, Lasan Group
Asian Business Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 in Association with Chivas
Shane Thakrar, Head of Retail, HKS Holdings
Asian Business Manufacturing Award of the Year 2013 in Association with Eastern Eye
Shahid Sheikh, Managing Director, Clifton Packaging
Asian Business Healthcare Business of the Year 2013 in Association with Bank of Baroda
Ravinder Bains, chairman of Sevacare.
Asian Business Food and Drink Business of the Year 2013 in Association with Grant Thornton
Priyesh and Minesh Patel, Managing Director, Cofresh Snack Foods UK.
Asian Businesswoman of the Year 2013 in Association with Brown Shipley
Alka Patel, Managing Director, Q&A Electrical Products.
Asian Business of the Year 2013 in Association with Eastern Eye
Tony Deep Wourha, founder of East End Foods.
For full coverage of the Asian Business Awards Midlands, pick up next week's issue of Eastern Eye (May 3) from your local newsagent.
To order a copy of the Asian Rich List Midlands (£25), call Saurin Shah on 020 7654 7737 or email [email protected]
